A Journey Through the Fascinating History of Dental Aesthetics
From ancient civilizations to present times, societies all around the world have had different beliefs about the appearance of teeth. Let's take a historical tour to investigate some fascinating beauty standards related to dental aesthetics.
The Allure of Alabaster Smiles in Ancient Egypt:
A bright smile is seen as a signn of social standing and great beauty in ancient Egypt. According to Archeologists based off of their archeological discoveries, Egyptians used wine vinegar and pulverized pumice stone as toothpaste to maintain good oral hygiene. To keep their teeth clean, they also utilized toothpicks made of gold or twigs. In order to further accentuate their smiles and represent riches and beauty, wealthy Egyptians also embellished their teeth with priceless metals and gemstones.
Edo Period Japan: The Art of Blackened Teeth:
Known as "ohaguro," a strange beauty standard arose during Japan's Edo era (1603-1868). Traditionally, those married women would use a mixture of vinegar, tea, and or iron filings to rub onto their teeth in order to blacken their teeth. Ohaguro was thought to strengthen teeth, guard against dental disease, and improve one's appearance. In addition, it represented maturity and marital status; single ladies would frequently wear white teeth to indicate that they were ready for marriage.
Victorian Era England: The Charm of Imperfect Pearls:
Dental flaws were considered attractive in Victorian England, especially by the aristocratic classes. In contrast to the modern obsession with perfect grins, in the past, having misaligned or stained teeth was seen as a desirable characteristic of refinement and affluence. This inclination resulted from the idea that having faults set one apart from working class people and showed that one indulged in rich cuisine and leisure activities.
Modern Era: The Quest for Perfect Pearly Whites
The need for flawless teeth has escalated to an unparalleled degree in contemporary society, driven by developments in dental technology as well as the impact of media and celebrity culture. Because straight, white teeth are associated with youth, health, and beauty, a lot of people get orthodontic treatment, veneers, and teeth whitening as cosmetic dentistry operations. Social networking sites increase the pressure to have a perfect smile, which changes people's ideas of what defines beauty.
